4-Year-Old Laine Nichols Named North Dakota Champion

(Devils Lake, ND) – Laine Nichols has been named North Dakota’s 2011 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Champion and will surprised with a $500 shopping card at Walmart to prepare for his trip Washington, D.C. and Orlando, FL. The presentation will take place on Wednesday, May 4 at 1 p.m. at Walmart, 210 Highway 2 West, Devils Lake.

Every year, the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals® Champions program identifies a child with a remarkable medical story from each state. These Champions serve as ambassadors for the 17 million children treated at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals annually. The Champions and their families will travel to Washington, D.C., and Orlando, Fla. in October to highlight the vital work of children’s hospitals.

In September of 2010, Laine suffered an accidental gunshot wound to his hip area. Almost immediately after the accident, he was Lifeflighted to Sanford Children’s Hospital Fargo from Devils Lake, ND. Laine was hospitalized for a week following the accident– during which he began walking on his own and developing a close bond with the nurses, doctors, and child life specialists.

For over two months after being hospitalized, Laine returned to the Sanford Children’s Hospital in Fargo twice a week for wound dressing changes and other outpatient treatments. However, none of this dampened his spirit - from pulling his own wagon to all of his procedures to naming his wound vacuum, ‘his machine’, Laine continues to delight nurses and other hospital staff with his sweet, loving demeanor and willingness to cooperate throughout his treatments.

Due in part to the extreme support of his family, Laine should not suffer any lasting effects from his injury and will be able to continue with the activities he loves, including riding horse with his mom, driving his snowmobile and 4-wheeler, and anything to do with farming. What started as a scary experience has turned positive because of Laine’s bravery, the support of the entire Nicholls family and the understanding and care of the Sanford Children’s Hospital Staff. Laine’s mom, Beth, stated, “The child-friendly atmosphere and positive experiences Laine had at the children’s hospital made coming back each week much easier for our entire family.”

About Sanford Children’s Hospital in Fargo

Sanford Children's Hospital located in downtown Fargo, ND, is the only facility of its kind in the region and one of only 170 premier children's hospitals in the nation. It includes a Pediatric Unit, a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Staff consists of pediatricians and pediatric specialists — including pediatric critical care and neonatology (the care of newborn babies), specialties rarely found elsewhere in North Dakota or northwestern Minnesota.

About Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals

Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals raises funds for 170 children’s hospitals across North America. Walmart's support for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals began in 1987. Walmart and Sam’s Club associates, customers and members have raised more than $500 million for children’s hospitals since the partnership began.